Kid Rock says his bid for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat in 2018 is no joke.

After his initial campaign announcement on Wednesday, July 12 was greeted with some skepticism, the Clarkston resident issued a statement on Thursday, July 13, saying that, “Once again the press is wrong...I’ve got 15 days from my announcement to file paperwork with the (Federal Election Commission)!” Rock added that while his initial announcement linked to a Warner Bros. Records site, “I’m not signed to Warner Bros.!!! -- which simple fact-checking would have revealed. I have recently worked out a unique deal with BMG, Broken Bow, CAA and Live Nation to release music ON MY TERMS.

“Like politicians write books during their campaigns, I’m planning on putting out music during mine...It’s not a hoax. It’s strategy and marketing 101! No plans for an album or anything else that has been the usual norm in the music business OR politics...”

Rock -- who will be playing six shows starting Sept. 12 to open Detroit’s new Little Caesar’s Arena -- released a pair of new songs on Thursday, “Greatest Show On Earth” and “Po-Dunk.” The video for the former also announces a Greatest Show On Earth Tour for 2018.

Sitting Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat running for re-election to a fourth term next year, issued her own statement saying that, “I know we both share a love of music. I concede he’s better at playing guitar and I’ll keep doing what I do best; fighting for Michigan.” Stabenow also used Rock’s announcement to launch a new fund-raising initiative.

In response, Rock wrote that, “Senator Stabenow and I do share a love of music, although probably not the same kind. I concede she is better at playing politics than I am so I’ll keep doing what I do best, which is being a voice for tax paying, hardworking AMERICANS and letting politicians like her know that We the People are sick and tired of their bull****!”

In addition to the Little Caesars shows Rock and has sporadic dates booked this year including an August 6 appearance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2017 Concert For Legends and his Third Annual Fish Fry on October 6-7 in Nashville.